Dalrymple not requesting to fund national park

BISMARCK — The Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota won't be reopening any time soon despite the federal government saying it would let states pay to operate some national parks closed by the shutdown.

The Obama administration said Thursday it will allow states to use their own money to reopen parks. And governors in at least four states have asked for authority to reopen national parks within their borders because of the economic impacts caused by the park closures.

Jeff Zent, a spokesman for Gov. Jack Dalrymple, says Dalrymple has not made a request. Zent says no money has been set aside to cover the costs.

State Budget Director Pam Sharp says the state has never funded the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the past.